French manicure made easy nail pen device

ABSTRACT

Provided is a nail pen for nail varnish application along a distal perimeter portion of a nail. The claimed invention obviates certain problems associated with the process of applying nail varnish onto the distal-only perimeter of a nail by presenting an apparatus and/or means for applying nail varnish in a controlled, uniform manner along the distal perimeter of a nail. The claimed invention provides a controlled means of disseminating a uniform strip of nail varnish along the distal perimeter of a nail. This desirable outcome is effectuated even for different varnish residue thicknesses and/or varnish colors. Also provided is a nail varnish applicator with a channel made from an impermeable material.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The claimed invention obviates certain problems associated with the process of applying nail varnish onto a distal perimeter region of a nail. By way of a non-limiting example, a beautician-assisted or self-administered French manicure procedure may involve the application of varnish, or similar type of nail polish substance, exclusively along a uniform and dimensionally-consistent distal-most region of a nail. Without the use of the apparatus and/or method of the claimed invention, it is possible for the nail varnish to be spread unevenly onto the distal perimeter of a nail due to the shaking of the hand of the individual applying the nail varnish. Due to the fast-hardening chemical characteristics of nail varnish, any imperfections or inconsistencies with the distribution of nail varnish on the distal perimeter of the nail will become bound to the nail surface. The correction of any minor imperfection or inconsistency with the distribution of nail varnish would not be able to be fixed without the removal of any or all of the nail varnish applied to that distal outer perimeter. The present invention obviates this dilemma by presenting an apparatus and/or means for applying nail Varnish in a controlled, uniform manner along the distal perimeter of a nail with significantly fewer imperfections or inconsistencies with the distribution of nail varnish on the distal nail perimeter.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The claimed invention relates to an apparatus and/or means for nail varnish application along a distal perimeter portion of a nail. The claimed invention provides a controlled means of disseminating a uniform strip of nail varnish along the distal perimeter of a nail. This desirable outcome is produced by limiting the portion of the nail surface that contacts the nail varnish applicator; only a fixed length relative to the distal tip of the nail onto which nail varnish is applied is in contact with the nail varnish applicator. Because of the fixed-length-relationship between the distal tip of a nail and the horizontal thickness of the nail varnish applicator, the resulting strip of nail varnish on the distal portion of the nail is uniform and consistent. A nail guide portion adjoins an edge of a nail, and the nail guide portion limits and directs (based upon the outer contour of the nail) the direction and extent of contact made by the varnish, applicator with the surface layer of the distal-most region of the nail. The nail guide portion allows the varnish applicator to render an aesthetically-smooth-and consistent-seeming layer of varnish residue on the surface layer of the distal portion of the nail.

The claimed invention also provides for alternative nail varnish applicator horizontal thicknesses, varnish colors, and/or material compositions. While different users may utilize the claimed invention to produce different preferred horizontal thicknesses, varnish colors, and/or material compositions, the claimed invention still produce the same level of consistency and control during its respective use.

Provided is a nail pen for varnish application comprising: a. a body that allows for holding the nail pen; b. a varnish reservoir; c. an applicator attached to the body in fluid communication with the reservoir for transferring varnish to the nail, the applicator having a first end for receiving the varnish from the reservoir and a second end for applying the varnish, the first end and the second end in fluid communication with each other, the applicator body made from a non-permeable material that limits the varnish from entering or leaving the applicator exclusively from the first end and the second end (through a channel or a permeable material inside of the applicator), the applicator of a suitable size for applying a French manicure; wherein the nail pen is used for applying a French manicure. The first end can be directly attached to the body. The nail guide can be in proximity to the second end adapted for contact with a portion of a nail to guide the nail pen for application of a French manicure. The nail guide can be detachable. The nail guide can be a ring for attaching the detachable nail guide to the nail pen. The nail guide can be non-detachable. The nail guide can be straight. The nail guide can bend towards the applicator at an angle. The nail guide can have a straight and a bent portion, the straight portion attached to the body and being substantially parallel to the applicator body (and/or direction of channel inside the body) and perpendicular to the applicator tip, and the bent portion bending towards the applicator. The second opening can be formed by two edges running parallel to each other. The second opening can be rectangular in shape. The second opening can be formed by two edges that are diameters of two identical semi-circles that are mirror reflections of each other and have a concave shape. The second opening can have a length of about 1 mm to about 1 cm. The nail pen can further comprise a button for pushing through the varnish. The, applicator can be of a suitable size to apply a French manicure of a length of about 1 mm to about 1 cm or 2 mm to about 1 cm.

Provided is a nail pen for varnish application comprising: a top portion that allows for holding the nail pen; a bottom portion comprising a detachable nail guide incapable of holding varnish adapted for contact with a distal portion of a nail; a varnish applicator capable of holding varnish adapted for transferring varnish onto said nail, wherein the nail pen is used to apply a French manicure. The nail pen can further comprise having a nail guide with a ring for attaching the detachable nail guide to the nail pen. The nail guide can bend towards the applicator at an angle. The nail guide can have a straight and a bent portion, the straight portion attached to the body and being substantially parallel to the applicator body and perpendicular to the applicator tip, and the bent portion bending towards the applicator. The French manicure can be a length of 1 mm to about 1 cm or 2 mm to about 1 cm. The nail pen can comprise a button for pushing through the varnish.

Provided is a nail pen comprising: a top portion for holding the nail pen; a bottom portion, the bottom portion comprising: a) an applicator, the applicator holding varnish, the applicator having a rectangular bottom surface configured for contacting with a distal portion of a nail, the bottom rectangular surface having a width and a length, the length of the rectangle longer than the width of the rectangle, the length of the rectangle defining a thickness of a strip of varnish applied to the distal portion of the nail; b) a nail guide, the guide not holding varnish, the guide having a surface facing the applicator adapted for contacting a tip of the nail, the surface of the guide for contacting the tip of the nail extending below the bottom surface of the nail applicator relative to the nail pen being in a vertical position; wherein a user positions the surface of the guide against the tail tip and places the applicator against the distal portion of the nail to apply the strip of varnish to the distal portion of the nail. The top portion can further comprise a hollow cavity for holding varnish. The surface of the nail guide contacting the tip of the nail can abut the width of the rectangular bottom portion of the applicator, and wherein the length of the rectangular bottom portion of the applicator and the surface of the guide that contacts the nail tip are perpendicular to each other. The surface of the guide contacting the nail tip can extend in a horizontal direction on both sides of the width of the rectangular bottom of the applicator. The guide can have a first portion that is substantially parallel to the top portion of the nail pen, and a lower portion that is bent towards the guide in relation to the top portion. The guide can have a ring that detachably attaches to a complementary region in the bottom portion of the nail pen.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a side perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2A illustrates a side perspective view of an exemplary use of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention during application to a nail.

FIG. 2B illustrates a side perspective view of an exemplary use of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention subsequent to application to a nail.

FIG. 3A illustrates a side perspective view of an exemplary bottom portion of the present invention with an exemplary flat-end varnish applicator.

FIG. 3B illustrates a side perspective view of an exemplary bottom portion of the present invention with an exemplary brush-end varnish applicator.

FIG. 4 illustrates a nail pen with a bent nail guide.

FIG. 5A illustrates a bent nail guide that is detachable

FIG. 5B illustrates a straight nail guide that is detachable.

FIG. 5C illustrates a nail pen for receiving a detachable nail guide.

FIG. 5D illustrates the nail pen of FIG. 5C with the nail guide of FIG. 5B.

FIG. 6 illustrates a nail pen with a button, and an applicator that is impermeable on the outside and has an opening that allows varnish to leave.

FIG. 7 illustrates a nail pen with an applicator that is impermeable on the outside and has an opening that allows varnish to leave.

FIG. 8 illustrates an applicator that is impermeable on the outside and has an opening that allows varnish to leave, with a straight nail guide.

FIG. 9 illustrates a nail pen with an applicator that is impermeable on the outside and has an opening inside that allows varnish to leave the applicator. The nail peak also has a bent nail guide.

FIG. 10 illustrates an elevational view of an applicator that is impermeable on the outside and having a channel on this inside for movement of varnish.

FIG. 11 illustrates an elevational view of an applicator that is impermeable on the outside and having a channel on this inside for movement of varnish.

FIG. 12 illustrates a perspective view of an applicator that is impermeable on the outside.

FIG. 13 illustrates a nail pen with the guide and the applicator having the same width.

FIG. 14 illustrates a perspective view of a nail pen with a guide and an applicator having a bottom rectangular surface.

FIG. 15 illustrates a perspective view of the nail pen of FIG. 14, the view shown from the side not shown in FIG. 14 (FIG. 14 is a left perspective view and FIG. 15 is a right perspective view).

FIG. 16 illustrates flow of varnish in a nail pen from a reservoir (hollow cavity) inside the nail pen through a permeable applicator and to the rectangular bottom portion of the applicator that is configured to apply varnish to a nail

FIG. 17 illustrates application of varnish to a nail by pressing the nail tip against the surface of the guide facing the applicator and applying varnish to the nail by the applicator to the distal portion of the nail.

FIG. 18 illustrates a channel of a nail applicator. Varnish would flow from the hollow cavity inside the nail pen down the channel to the tip of the nail.

FIG. 19 illustrates a first end of the applicator illustrated in FIG. 12. The first end contacts a distal portion of the nail.

FIG. 20 illustrates a second end of the applicator illustrated in FIG. 12. Varnish enters the second end from a hollow cavity (reservoir) of the

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

The reference numerals below are labels for the different elements as used in the drawings and are not intended to serve as a full description of each element or limit its scope of equivalent elements.

2 top portion

4 bottom portion

6 top end

8 bottom end

10 nail guide portion

10 a. bent portion of nail guide

12 nail, guide surface

14 varnish applicator

15 varnish residue

16 varnish applicator bottom

16′ flat-end varnish applicator

16″ brush-end varnish applicator

18 finger

20 nail

22 nail tip

24 Push Button

25 impermeable applicator

26 applicator tip

27 Opening

28 Channel

29 varnish

30 Ring Portion of detachable nail guide

32 complementary receiving unit

33 Body (with a hollow cavity inside containing reservoir)

34 reservoir (hollow cavity inside the body)

35 Detachable nail guide

36 Semi-Circular portion

37 Distal Portion of nail

38 First End of applicator (where varnish comes out)

39 Second End of applicator (where varnish enters)

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

With reference to FIGS. 1, 2A, and 2B, an exemplary embodiment of the claimed invention comprises a top portion 2 and a bottom portion 4. The top portion 2 comprises a top end 6 at a top, first end, and is connected at the opposite, second end to a bottom portion 4.

Continuing with reference to FIGS. 1, 2A, and 2B, an exemplary shape of the top portion 2 and the bottom portion 4 is an exemplary cylinder-like shape adapted for gripping by a hand. While the depicted exemplary embodiment is substantially cylindrical, it will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that depiction and reference to such an exemplary lengths of and shapes of the aforementioned top portion 2 and bottom portion 4 are merely illustrative and not a limitation of the claimed inventions; other lengths of and shape of the aforementioned elements could be used without departing from the spirit of the claimed invention. For example, the top portion 2 may comprise of indentations adapted for gripping by one or more fingers of a hand.

Continuing with reference to FIGS. 1, 2A, and 2B, an exemplary embodiment of the bottom portion 4 comprises an exemplary nail guide portion 10 and an exemplary garnish applicator 14. The exemplary nail guide portion 10 comprises a hardened material with a nail guide surface 12 that is adapted for contact with a nail tip 22 of a nail 20. In the exemplary embodiments depicted, the longitudinal dimension of the claimed invention is maintained in a substantially perpendicular orientation with respect to the longitudinal dimension of the finger 18. The nail tip 22 is moved laterally towards the nail guide surface 12 until the nail 20 is in contact with the nail guide surface 12. Alternatively, the apparatus of the claimed invention may be moved laterally towards the nail tip 22. The claimed invention is then depressed downwards until the varnish applicator bottom 16 of the varnish applicator 14 contacts the top surface of the nail tip 22 of a nail 20. Upon contact by the varnish applicator with the nail 20 surface, varnish residue 15 is emitted from the varnish applicator bottom 16 onto the nail 20 surface. Thereafter, the user of the claimed invention moves the varnish applicator 14 from one side of the nail tip 22 to a second side of the nail tip 22 while the nail guide surface 12 maintains contact with the nail tip 22. While reference is made herein to the arrangement, juxtaposition, orientation, and/or movement, it will be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art that depiction and reference to such an exemplary arrangement, juxtaposition, orientation, and/or movement of the aforementioned elements are merely illustrative and not a limitation of the claimed invention; other arrangement, juxtaposition, orientation, and/or movement of the aforementioned elements could be used without departing from the spirit of the claimed invention.

With reference to FIGS. 2A, 2B, and 3A, an exemplary embodiment of a varnish applicator 14 comprises a flat-end varnish applicator 16′. This exemplary embodiment of the varnish applicator 14 comprises an exemplary shape of a rectangular prism, whereby the exemplary flat-end varnish applicator 16′ makes surface contact with the top surface of the nail 20 and transfers varnish onto the top surface of the nail tip 22. The material composition of the flat-end varnish applicator 16′ may comprise a solitary, substantially-rigid, micro-porous material or a plurality of semi-malleable, longitudinally-aligned brush fibers. While reference is made herein to the material composition, three-dimensional shape, and/or bottom-surface orientation, it will be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art that depiction and reference to such an exemplary material composition, three-dimensional shape, and/or bottom-surface orientation of the aforementioned elements are merely illustrative and not a limitation of the claimed invention; other material composition, three-dimensional shape, and/or bottom-surface orientation of the aforementioned elements could be used without departing from the spirit of the claimed invention.

With reference to FIGS. 2A, 2B and 3B, an alternative exemplary embodiment of a varnish applicator 14 comprises a brush-end varnish applicator 16″. This exemplary embodiment of the varnish applicator 14 comprises an exemplary shape of a cylindrical prism composed substantially of substantially-thin, soft, semi-rigid brush fibers, whereby the exemplary brush-end varnish applicator 16″ makes surface contact with the top surface of the nail 20 and transfers varnish residue 15 onto the top surface of the nail tip 22. While reference is made herein to the material composition, three-dimensional shape, and/or bottom-surface orientation, it will be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art that depiction and reference to such an exemplary material composition, three-dimensional shape, and/or bottom-surface orientation of the aforementioned elements are merely illustrative and not a limitation of the claimed invention; other material composition, three-dimensional shape, and/or bottom-surface orientation of the aforementioned elements could be used without departing from the spirit of the claimed invention.

With reference to FIGS. 1, 2A, 2B, 3A and 3B, the exemplary varnish residue 15 transferred by the varnish applicator 14 may comprise any single color, texture, gloss, and/or suppemental blend (e.g., varnish with glitters) or any combination of one or more of the aforementioned color, texture, gloss, and/or supplemental blend. It will be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art that depiction and reference to such an exemplary varnish composition, of the aforementioned elements are merely illustrative and not a limitation of the claimed invention; other varnish composition could be used without departing from the spirit of the claimed invention.

Continuing with reference to FIGS. 1, 2A, 2B, 3A and 3B, the exemplary varnish applicator 14 may be of various horizontal or vertical dimensions, based upon the preferences of the user of the claimed invention. Where a particular user of the claimed invention desires the horizontal thickness of the varnish residue 15 on the nail tip 22 to be greater, that particular user may utilize a varnish applicator with longer vertical and/or horizontal dimensions, which may allow varnish residue 15 to disseminate to a greater total aggregate amount of surface area on the nail 20 or nail tip 22. It will be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art that depiction and reference to such an exemplary varnish applicator dimension(s) is/are merely illustrative and not a limitation of the claimed invention; other varnish applicator dimension(s) could be used without departing from the spirit of the claimed invention.

It will be understood by someone of ordinary skill in the art that either the guide portion 10 and/or the varnish applicator 14 may be removable, disconnect-/reconnect-enabled, interchangeable, and/or replaceable with the same or alternative exemplary embodiment (shown or not shown here); other guide portions and/or nail varnish applicator with alternative dimensions, thicknesses, and/or interior contours may be used without departing from the spirit of the claimed invention.

FIG. 4 illustrates a nail pen with a guide 10 that is bent 23 at an angle towards a user's nail. The bottom portion of the guide 23 points downward and toward the user and the applicator 14, at an angle of approximately 20 to 50 degrees. A user would touch her nail to the lower portion 23 of the guide, which has an angle. The nail guide has a first straight portion (in relation to the pen body) followed by a second portion that bends toward the applicator.

FIG. 5A and 5B illustrate a detachable guide (35) that can be attached to a nail pen. The detachable guide in FIGS. 5A and 5B can have a hollow ring that slide into the bottom of the nail pen in a complementary region (32 as illustrated in FIG. 5C) in such manner that the guide is positioned next to the applicator. FIG. 5D illustrates the guide of FIG. 5B (a ring with the guide portion attached thereto) in position on the nail pen where the guide is positioned next to the applicator.

FIG. 6 illustrates a nail pen with a button (24). This button (4) can be used to push varnish though the varnish reservoir (34) in the nail pen body (33). FIG. 6 also illustrates a nail pen where a unique applicator (25) is used to apply varnish (29). In this embodiment, varnish (29) is comes out only from the opening (27) of applicator tip (26). The sides of the varnish applicator (25) are not permeable, and contain the varnish inside the applicator (25). The tip (26) of the varnish applicator (25) can be shaped like semi-circles (36), where the diameter of each of the semi-circles form the bottom of the tip (26) defined the length of the tip. A gap between the two semi-circles (36) allows varnish to leave the reservoir through opening (27) and be applied to distal portion of a nail (37). Specifically, the applicator (25) is a hollow cylinder with two openings, and in one of the two openings the end of the applicator tapers towards the center with a semi-circular portion to form a rectangular bottom opening (27).

FIG. 7 illustrates a nail pen that is similar to the nail pen of FIG. 6 except that the applicator tip (26) has two flat portions that define the opening of the tip (26) rather than semi-circular parts (36). The detachable guides (35) can be placed on the nail pen illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7.

FIG. 8 illustrates the nail pen of FIG. 7 with a guide attached thereto. Varnish (29) is applied through the bottom opening (27) of the nail pen to the distal portion of the nail (37). The bottom opening (27) is rectangular, and is formed by two parallel edges. The guide (10) is pressed against the edge of the nail of a user, and the bottom opening (27) applies the varnish to the distal portion of the nail (37) at a substantially perpendicular position. FIG. 9 illustrates the nail pen of FIG. 7 with a guide that is bent (10 a) at the bottom. The guide (10) bends toward the applicator (25) (or alternatively applicator 14) in relation to the nail pen top portion (2) having a vertical position. The guide can have a first straight (vertical) portion (12) that is parallel to the central axis of the body, followed by a bent portion (10 a) that bends towards the applicator in an upward direction.

FIGS. 10, 11, and 12 illustrate the various views of the varnish applicator (14) with a first end (38) and a second end (39). The first end (38) has a flat rectangular bottom surface for applying varnish. The second end is attached to the nail pen and is in fluid communication with a reservoir (34) containing varnish (29). The varnish travels to the flat rectangular bottom surface 16′. The width of flat rectangular bottom 16′ can be about 2 mm to about 7 mm, such as about 5 mm. The length of flat rectangular bottom 16′ can be about 1 mm to about 1 cm, such as about 1 mm to about 5 mm, such as about 1.5 mm to about 3.5 mm. Other lengths suitable for application of a French manicure to a natural nail can also be used. The length is typically longer than the width, such as about 2-5 times the width.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a nail pen with applicator (14). As shown in this figure, the guide (10), inside surface (12) and the flat end (16′) of the varnish applicator (14) have the same length, and have the same alignment, and have a uniform direction.

FIG. 14 illustrates a nail pen with an applicator (14) and a guide (10). The applicator (14) illustrated in this figure is made from an absorbent material, through which varnish moves through primarily by diffusion. The applicator (14) has a rectangular flat-end bottom (16′) for applying varnish to the distal portion of the nail (37). The rectangular flat-end bottom (16′) of applicator (14) is positioned in the nail pen in a perpendicular fashion to the inside surface of the nail guide (12) that is configured to contact the edge of the nail. The length of the rectangular flat-end bottom (16′) is longer than the width (such as by a factor of more than 2, or more than 3, generally 2-5 times longer), and the direction of the length of the rectangular flat-end bottom 16′ is perpendicular to the inside surface (12) of the nail guide (10) in relation to a horizontal line in surface (12) (For example the lower straight boundary line on surface 12 shown in FIG. 15). The rectangular flat-end bottom (16′) has a length that defines the length of the French manicure strip placed on the distal portion of the nail. FIG. 15 illustrates the same nail pen as FIG. 14, except a right perspective view is shown. The perspective vies of FIGS. 14 and 15 illustrate the guide (10) extending on both side of applicator (14) in a horizontal fashion (relative to the nail pen being in a vertical position). The guide (10) also extends below the bottom end (16′) of applicator (14).

FIG. 16 illustrates movement of varnish (29) through the nail pen of FIGS. 14 and 15. Varnish (29) moves from reservoir (34) inside of the nail pen to applicator (14), which is made from an absorbent material that allows for movement of varnish (29) primarily by diffusion. The varnish (29) diffuses from top (shown in broken lines in FIGS. 16 and 17) of applicator (14) to the rectangular flat end bottom 16′ of applicator (14). When the flat end bottom (16′) of applicator (14) is contacted with the distal portion (37) of the nail (20) of a human, varnish (29) is applied to the nail (20).

FIG. 17 illustrates the edge of the tip of the nail (22) contacting nail guide inside surface (12). The nail guide inside surface (12) is substantially at a perpendicular or slightly bent position (less than 30 degrees relative to a vertical axis) relative to the distal portion of the nail (37). The inside surface of the nail guide (12) extends to below the edge of the nail tip (22). The user presses the inside surface of guide (12) against the edge of nail tip (22), and then moves the nail pen across the nail tip (22), resulting in deposit of varnish residue to the distal portion (37) of the nail (22) by the flat end bottom (16′) of applicator (14).

FIG. 18 is a perspective view of a nail pen. A button (24) can push varnish out of the reservoir (34) to the applicator tip (26) which in this embodiment is shown with a channel (28) and an impermeable wall around channel (28). Alternatively, varnish (29) can move from the reservoir (34) to the applicator tip (26) via gravitational force and/or diffusion. Diffusion particularly works when the applicator tip is made from an absorbent material.

FIG. 19 illustrates a first end (38) of the impermeable applicator (25) of FIG. 12. First end (38) is in fluid communication with varnish inside of the nail pen. The opening of the first end (38) contacts the distal portion (37) of a nail to apply a strip of varnish.

FIG. 20 illustrates a second end (39) of the impermeable applicator (25) of FIG. 12. Varnish from the nail pen enters the impermeable applicator (25) from a hollow cavity (34) inside of the nail pen. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A nail pen comprising: a top portion for holding the nail pen; a bottom portion. the bottom portion comprising: a) an applicator, the applicator holding varnish. the applicator having a rectangular bottom surface configured for contacting with a distal portion of a nail, the bottom rectangular surface having a width and a length, the length of the rectangle longer than the width of the rectangle, the length of the rectangle defining a thickness of a strip of varnish applied to the distal portion of the nail; b) a nail guide, the guide not holding varnish, the guide having a surface facing the applicator adapted for contacting a tip of the nail, the surface of the guide for contacting the tip of the nail extending below the bottom surface of the nail applicator relative to the nail pen being in a vertical position; wherein a user positions the surface of the guide against the nail tip and places the applicator against the distal portion of the nail to apply the strip of varnish to the distal portion of the nail.
 2. The nail pen of claim 1, wherein the surface of the nail guide contacting the tip of the nail abuts the width of the rectangular bottom portion of the applicator, and wherein the length of the rectangular bottom portion of the applicator and the surface of the guide that contacts the nail tip are perpendicular to each other.
 3. The nail pen of claim 2, wherein the surface of the guide contacting the nail tip extends in a horizontal direction on both sides of the width of the rectangular bottom of the applicator.
 4. The nail pen of claim 1, wherein the guide has a first portion that is substantially parallel to the top portion of the nail pen, and a lower portion that is bent towards the guide in relation to the top portion.
 5. The nail pen of claim 1, wherein the guide has a ring that detachably attaches to a complementary region in the bottom portion of the nail pen. 